By Adam McMillen

U.S. schools combined are the third largest consumer of commercial building energy—the majority of it from burning carbon fuels that heat and cool buildings, run school buses, and operate equipment in university research laboratories, among other uses. As educational leaders take on decarbonization projects —renovation or new construction — IMEG recommends a four-step approach.

  1. Assess your carbon footprint
  2. Optimize building performance
  3. Electrification
  4. Integrate renewable energy

This blog will address the third and fourth steps. Step 3, “Electrification,” refers to the use of electric systems for operational needs and gradually reducing or eliminating the use of oil and natural gas energy.

In a typical existing building, about two-thirds of carbon emissions come from carbon-based electricity and one-third from gas. To decarbonize, buildings and campuses switch to electric systems powered by renewable energy. This means replacing all appliances that burn carbon-based energy—oil and gas furnaces, water heaters, boilers, and dryers—with electric versions ready for when the grid provides electricity solely from clean, renewable sources like wind, solar, and nuclear.

Using electricity also cuts down on maintenance costs and, depending on your jurisdiction, may save money spent on permits, reduce inspections, and eliminate the need to meet regulations required for equipment running on carbon-based fuels.

Transitioning to electric systems comes with special considerations, and the process will vary for each building, campus, or central plant-driven district energy system. Your decarbonization strategy should include plans to electrify systems as part of larger master and capital plans, in line with your renewable energy goals. (Read more about master plans here.)

If you are building new, electrify proactively. This includes designing for low-temperature heating water, right-sizing incoming electrical service for electrified heating, integrating compressor-based heating sources, and preparing the facility for 100% renewable integration—opening the door for sources like solar panels, wind turbines, geothermal, etc.

Ultimately, all energy used for new or existing buildings should come from renewable sources. The final step of a decarbonization plan involves deciding which renewable energy sources you will develop on site and what the utility’s greening of the grid will accomplish. Your renewable energy strategy needs to match your electrification strategy.

Many solutions are rising to the top as technology advances, equipment becomes less expensive, and utilities increase demand charges. Over the course of a 30-year plan, you will probably consider solar photovoltaic and battery energy storage at many sites, and wind, hydroelectric, or perhaps even nuclear energy through an off-site plan (usually with a power-purchase agreement). Though highly efficient combined heat and power (CHP) systems do emit carbon, using them in conjunction with fuel cells at large energy-using sites can be considered as a transition strategy toward decarbonization.

Educational leaders should experiment with renewable energy projects to determine the best approach for their organization and investigate funding opportunities. For instance, some campuses start with owner-procured solar panels on roofs or ground on campus or at a remote location to learn more before they move on to a bigger project. (For help with early planning and feasibility of solar PV for a building site, including space and cost requirements, check out IMEG’s Rapid Analysis Tool.)

Some have found success leasing space to a third-party renewable energy developer. This means the developer installs, finances, and maintains the renewable energy system, with the owner paying for it gradually through monthly utility bills.

Several programs provide incentives, grants, or tax credits for investments in energy savings or renewable energy technology, which can increase your return on investment. The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 included $370 billion for clean energy and climate initiatives, the largest-ever investment by the federal government. Additional opportunities are available through the 179D Commercial Buildings Energy-Efficient Tax Deduction and your local utility companies. The all-electric Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences Campus, pictured above, is modeled to reduce operational carbon by 65 percent. It received $1.2 million in construction rebates from the MidAmerican Energy Commercial New Construction program, which offers companies construction rebates based on verified electric savings from the systems they install.

By tapping into a variety of these sources, school districts and higher education campuses can achieve significant savings. Furthermore, savings from an initial initiative can be reinvested in future initiatives.

To learn more, read IMEG’s executive guide, “Decarbonization in Education: A Practical Approach for the Built Environment.”

Or read the other blogs in this series: